Losing wisdom teeth

 Ashlynn did a great job this morning!  She was calm, cool, and collected.  Me, on the other hand, felt all wobbly inside!  It is one thing to go through something like this...it is another to watch your child have to do it...knowing that every day won't be easy.

 We had to wait longer than expected at CVS and she just snoozed.  No crazy talk or goofiness...to the disappointment of her siblings.  I had trouble interpreting the gauze talk...to which she added hand motions.

 All comfy on the couch with pain meds.  She did ask me if I had the teeth.  I told her, "No, they didn't offer them to me."

Ice packs on her cheeks after changing the gauze and taking the antibiotic.  The puppies are keeping watch over her.  Praying for a quick recovery for her!  Another teenager moment in our house...check.

Sunday...our travelers came home!

We spent the week in Illinois and got home on Saturday.  

The kiddos flew into Toronto on Sunday morning.  We were ready to be together as a family.

                                                      Cool picture taken by the girls!

 They got back and came into the morning service about 11:15am to say, "Hello!  We are back and had a wonderful trip.  Thanks for praying and giving so we could go!"  Uncle Pastor prayed and then dismissed the families.  We took our travel weary kiddos home.  We started laundry, they took showers, and we ate dinner together...and they talked for almost two hours!

 It was a good trip...they had things to deal with...but they were so glad they went!  We are glad that God provided and protected through the many miles.  I think my favorite Teddy quote was, "There were many dangerous things that came up while we worked, but it was ok.  We were fine."

Time with Geega (Grandma...Mom)

Ted and I made the trip to Illinois on Saturday with the puppies to spend the week of our spring break with Mom...our Geega...our Grandma.  We went to the early service on Sunday at NLBC and then had a coffee and donut date.  It has been good to be together.  Not all times are easy as memories tend to overwhelm our hearts as we go through things and walk through the rooms of Papa and Geega's home.  One of the hardest places for Ted is the garage.  "Every tool in that garage has a story for me especially...time spent with Dad learning and helping and sharing in life.  So many things..."

After Sara and Penelope left to fly home on Monday, the house got very quiet.  Ted and Mom worked through some things.  We rested.  We went for a drive later in the day to look at the flooding in the area.  Supper was enjoyed at Chik-fil-a!  

 Between times of taking care of business and sorting through things, we are making sure to take time out to do something fun!  So thankful to reconnect with dear friends from years gone by!  As we have sat around the table with friends, I am scrolling back through the years and memories of how each person has touched our lives and I am so thankful!  And then to hear their memories...I had no idea of how the birth of Ashlynn touched this dear friend's heart.  Patty, thank you for sharing that with me!

 Geega...Grandma is getting cuddles from the puppies when the little girls are not around.

 And as always...naptime at Geega's is always comfortable!  Rest is so important during a stressful time of life change...even when you think you don't feel stressed.  You have to let yourself have down time!  Everyone deals with life changes differently.  I am watching and learning the balance between jumping in with a helpful hand and sitting back to give space.  There is not a right or wrong way to do things...when to eat, when or where to sleep, where to go, what to sort, how to do each day...it is about just being there.  The change of daily schedule hurts...passing a building...daily chores...
nothing will change the hurt that you have to deal with...that empty feeling.  I am learning that time is what you can give...a hug, a call, a text, a card, a walk, help with little things, a coffee, a laugh, a shared tear...time doing something or doing nothing!  I am learning that time is needed to find that new normal...and it doesn't come in a neat little box tied with a bow.

 This guy is such a testimony of God's grace!  He has much to do and think through and handle.  He is doing it with such love and patient understanding.  My heart is filled with love and prayer for him every hour of every day.  His best friend and counsellor is no longer here to talk things out with, advise, or just listen.  His car, handyman guru, and tool guy is not a phone call away anymore.  It is hard!  It is heavy!  Saying a final goodbye on this earth is not something you think about every day. Finding a new normal is not easy...But God gives grace and strength for those times.  There is a peace that comes in the dailyness of life and in the middle of the night when you can't sleep.

 Another evening out with laughter that gives a balm to hurting hearts...girls who have walked some rocky roads and yet they share their hearts with tears and laugh freely because God is good...all the time!  I tried to capture the night so I won't forget...my heart needed this and I really didn't know it till today.  My tears won't stop as I to write what is in my heart.  These girls have been there through some very important times in our life...and they are still there!  A few seats were empty because of miles and responsibilities.  I am reminded that I need to do better at staying in touch even when life is crazy!  These girls took time out for us...and that is something dear and not to be forgotten or neglected!  Ministries change, jobs change, relationships change, locations change...but God knits hearts together...and that doesn't have to change!  "What happens at Meg's stays at Meg's!"  probably is a favorite line of the night as we shared what is going on in our lives and how it affects us.

Our evening ended too soon...what coffee shop closes at 8:00pm!?!  Goodness!  I guess we needed to be reminded that life does go on and job responsibilities need to be a priority.  My poor teacher friend had to finish standardized testing today...the last day before their spring break.  When we walked outside...there was the moon...as full and bright as anything!  

Oh how we laughed...at...I mean with her!

 "Anybody else ready to give back your adult card?  Life is hard!"  

And once again...I think...But God!  He gives us people in our life to sharpen us and refresh us...and make us laugh till we cry...that time is precious!

The birds are beginning to sing around our yard again!

The warmth of home

 Puppies and the fireplace.

 Teddy's request for homemade bread.

 The beginnings of taking probiotics to get ready for the Uruguay.

Unexpected

So many things in life are unexpected.  It is in those moments that you find that God is there...waiting to help you in your time of need!  Wednesday, February 27, 2019, I got an unexpected call from Paul asking if Ted was in the country.  He wasn't and I told him so.  Then he gave me the unexpected news that Dad was in Heaven.  It took my breath away...the news, what it meant, and the realization of the call I needed to make...and then the conversation I needed to have with our children.  There is shock in unexpected news.  There is no specific way to deal with unexpected news.  But I know for sure...there is great unexpected peace that comes when you simply say, "God, help us because we just don't know what to do right now."  And then He unexpectedly guides your thoughts past the crazy, disjointed thoughts to the calm, logical decisions...one hour at a time.
Unexpected by us...but totally known by God.
Prayers by God's people far and near covered us interceding on our behalf in ways we had no knowledge of in those first hours.  Offers of help, planning, housing, dog sitting, meals, childcare, finances, work schedules, and so much more...God works all things for our good and for His glory!
Our family watched God care for the little details and He is still working in the big decisions.  Even though our hearts are hurting, we know that Dad...our Papa...is with Jesus walking on streets of gold.
We have learned that even in the unexpected...there is joy and peace.
As we met together as a family in the living room and around the dining room table, we shared memories of the things that we learned from listening to Dad, helping Dad, watching Dad, and talking with Dad.  So many things among five children with spouses and six grand-children (who could talk)...so much laughter, many tears, and several pensive/quiet moments.
During the visitation, we met many people that Dad's life touched...people we have known for years, people he worked with, extended family, and the man that did CPR on him, we were reminded that people see something different in the lives of those who belong to God!
Dad's favorite verse was Philippians 4:13.  Ted found that he had drawn a line up to verse 11.  It sure changes the thought process when you read it in context, usually we pull it out as a "stand alone verse".

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound:  every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

In the unexpected state we have found ourselves in during the last week, we have drawn from the strength that only Christ gives!  We have all watched Dad live his life...not perfectly...through the ups and downs...striving to follow God's truth.  As we celebrated his life on Monday night through the visitation and memorial service, we remembered.  As Dad's favorite song was sung, we could shout with the singer, "Bless the Lord! Bless the Lord!"  Dad knew he belonged to the Lord.  He knew he didn't deserve the free gift of salvation, and he wanted everyone to have the opportunity to be able to accept it for themselves, like he did when he was twenty and his Dad at forty.  As Ted and I spent time together Tuesday morning over coffee, Ted shared his heart about the last few days...he said, "He gave us more than he received!"  He was talking about the spiritual training that Dad fought to give his children and grandchildren. "To whom much is given, much is required!"

In the unexpected times, we draw from the truth that we have learned over time...and we will continue to do just that!

A little overwhelming these days...

 this statement hits my heart and I am trying not to panic.  As we look forward to all the plans that have to be made...we see the costs of those plans mounting and it is overwhelming to say the least!  Ashlynn still moans/groans when the discussion turns to graduation and college.  The fun-can't-wait-to-grow-up-phase of life is not all fun and games.  (We tried to tell her that!)

 Hours have begun in front of the computer going through scholarships and writing essays.  Supposedly...for every 20 you fill out you hear from 1.  Yes...so overwhelming is an understatement right now.  "I just keep trusting my Lord...as we walk along...I just keep trusting my Lord...and He gives a song..."

 There isn't really much else to do when it is yucky outside...so our last ice/snow day was spent in front of the computer. "He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, the wealth in every mine.  He owns the rivers and the rocks and rills...the sun and stars that shine..."

 I am hoping and praying that we do see something come out of this...we keep getting nailed with all the "I earned this...and you can too!" advertisements.  Man...have things changed since I went through this process...31 years ago!  Yikes!  "God can do anything, anything, anything.  God can do anything but fail...He's the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end..."

"He's able, He's able, I know He's able.  I know my Lord is able to carry me (us) (her) through!"

Spirit Week 2019

 Oh hooray...the week that never ends...soon enough!  But I started out with my cute llama hat!

 Character day...

 Red, black, and white day...

 Comfy day...blankets, pillows, slippers, and stuffed animals OH MY!

 Senior class is full of school spirit.

Teddy...and all his buddies just make me laugh...every time I see them!

Junior girls...too cool for the morning.

Some weeks are heavy...

Valentine's Day when the one you love is thousands of miles away.

The car dies at a busy intersection while two girls are out and about for some Friday night shopping.

Ice...and juggling...and dealing with life...and trying to find renters...and ice and cold.
And then the song that we sang in choir rings through with the words, "He is still...He is forever in my heart the Great I Am...and He is still."  I know God never allows things into our lives without a purpose or a plan...but some weeks are so heavy that I feel that I just can't even do it.  And then His still small voice speaks peace to my heart through His Word and good music...and I choose to trust Him through the heaviness of life.  He knows...I am convinced that He just wants me to to once again agree with Him...He is in control.  He knows.  He cares.  He has a plan.

In between snow and ice days...we continue life!

 Two dogs to a vet appointment...at lease I didn't trip and fall over the leashes!

 Home-cooked meals and treats warm the house!

 Laundry caught up!

 School bag sat unattended!

 Constant dishes!

 Playing with the puppies!

 Fun Valentine package!

Puppy at the bottom of the stairs who wants the girls at the top of the stairs!

Looking ahead

 It is official.  She got a call and then came the packet in the mail.  We are at a point in life where the decisions that are made and the choices that are made have heavy consequences!  We continue to pray for wisdom in this journey.

Taking time out to enjoy the things that are good